Young Wolves full-back Dexter Lembikisa reportedly has loan interest from League One sides Port Vale and Burton Albion.
Journalist Darren Witcoop has claimed today that the two EFL clubs are looking to take the talented teenager on loan for next season.
He adds that Wanderers are keen to sanction a loan to help further his development.
Lembikisa has enjoyed a fantastic rise at Wolves since joining the club as a 13-year-old, and made his first-team debut earlier this season.
The starlet, 19, was given his debut by Steve Davis against Leeds United in the Carabao Cup. Davis then handed him his Premier League bow against Arsenal days later.
Julen Lopetegui then arrived, and kept Lembikisa around rather than ship him out on loan. The Spaniard actually gave him his his first senior start in the FA Cup third round tie against Liverpool.
The time has now come for Wolves to carefully consider the next step for Lembikisa.
And it looks like the club is ready to sanction his exit on loan.
It would be his first one, and hopefully help to get him used to the intensity of senior football.
The club think very highly of him, and Lopetegui rates him too. Matt Hobbs said earlier this year that the head coach has him on his radar.
He said: “He’s worked hard under the new manager, and Julen really likes him. He’s been impressed by his athleticism and by his one-on-one defending, which is excellent. He’s quickly become part of the first-team group and didn’t look out of place on his Premier League debut against Arsenal.”
It is not the first time Lembikisa has been linked with Burton specifically. The Express & Star made the same claim earlier this year.
But the interest from Port Vale does appear to be new.
Loan move for Dexter Lembikisa would be the right move by Wolves
Lembikisa has the potential to become a top player.
He regularly impresses for the U21s, and he made a real impression in the four first-team appearances he made in 2022/23.
It would be the correct call to send him out on loan for next season.
He needs that experience of playing senior football and League One could be a great environment for him to develop.
Both Jonny Castro Otto and Nelson Semedo are both 29 and Wolves could do with a right-back who is a bit younger.
Next year, after a season-long loan, he might be in a good place to perhaps push for a first-team place.